HLURB HITS THE MARK ON 2011 GOALS

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) performed better than expected in 2011 as it embarked on several programs that cut across its three major mandates composed of planning, regulation and adjudication.The HLURB, the government’s principal body for land use and housing development, is one of six Key Shelter Agencies (KSAs) under the aegis of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) concurrently chaired by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

During a recent Regular Board Meeting held at the Office of the Vice President (OVP), HLURB Chief Executive Officer Antonio M. Bernardo presented the accomplishments of HLURB in 2011 as well as its impact on stakeholders in the shelter sector. A total of 195 Local Government Units (LGUs) or 76% higher than the 111 LGUs targeted for the year have been assisted by the Board, in the preparation of their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). The Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance defines the land uses, regulations, development strategies, proposed programs and projects addressing social, economic, infrastructure and climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

As for CLUPs awaiting approval of the Board, a total of 360 LGUs or 188% higher than the 125 LGUs targeted for the year were assisted and monitored by the agency, which resulted to faster action on issues and problems encountered by municipalities and cities. HLURB has facilitated the approval of 77 CLUPs which have undergone review by Provincial Land Use Committee (PLUC) and Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) where the Board also serves as a member.

The number of deputized Zoning Administrators supervised by HLURB has also increased by 40% or a total of 700 against a target of 500. The Board only deputizes zoning administrators for LGUs without approved CLUPs or Zoning Ordinances (ZOs).

A total of 1,344 LGUs and Homeowners Associations (HOAs) combined have increased their level of awareness on the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations (HOAs) from numerous trainings, seminars and workshops conducted by HLURB.

A total of 784 residential projects have been issued License to Sell (LS) with 308,308 against a target of 166,500 dwelling units were licensed. While the increase in the number of licensed residential projects and units indicates a high demand for residential units, the government is also keen on addressing the problem of unoccupied dwelling units.

A total of 1,798 cases were handled by the HLURB which exceeded the target by 42%. For appealed cases, the Board scored a zero backlog as all cases on appeal before the Board that were ripe for resolution have been resolved or draft resolutions for which have been prepared and scheduled for deliberation by the end of 2011. HLURB will build on this success in its continuing effort to increase the confidence in the rule of law with the prompt resolution of appealed cases.

CEO Bernardo admitted however that there is a lot more to be improved particularly on the adjudication of regional cases. He expressed hope that the approval of the new rules of procedure and adoption of a legal monitoring system would accelerate the disposition of cases. He explained that instead of putting an absolute number as the target, the new monitoring system will continuously check the actual number of cases filed and how many were disposed by the HLURB.
The current HLURB Board is chaired by Vice President and concurrent HUDCC Chairman Jejomar C. Binay. Its full-time commissioners are Atty. Antonio M. Bernardo, concurrently HLURB Chief Executive Officer, Atty. Ria Corazon Golez-Cabrera, Atty. Luis A. Paredes and Atty. Linda Malenab-Hornilla while the ex-officio commissioners are DOJ Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, NEDA Deputy Director General Augusto B. Santos, DPWH Undersecretary Jaime Pacanan and DILG Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero.